A Buddhist monk led Sinhala protesters at a demonstration today by the Neeraviyadi Pillaiyar temple, calling on the Sri Lankan president to intervene on the long-running dispute. 

Ponnuthurai Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle was remembered today in his hometown of Urumpirai, Jaffna. 

<p>The United States yesterday expressed concern over what it described as the demonising of Muslims, following the mass resignation of Muslim ministers from the front benches.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a tweet the US House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote: "The demonizing of Muslims by certain religious and political forces in Sri Lanka is a concerning development for the country. Leaders in the country need to calm communal tensions and ensure safety for people of all faiths in the country."</p> <p>The German embassy in Colombo also tweeted on the subject highlighting the importance of freedom of religion and mutual tolerance.&nbsp;</p>

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned this week of a resurgence in attacks against Tamil journalists by Sri Lanka's security forces. 

Highlighting recent cases of attacks against journalists, including two Tamil Guardian correspondents, RSF called on the Sri Lankan authorities to punish those responsible for the acts of violence and to stop police intimidation and harassment of Tamil journalists. 

Families of the disappeared in Vavuniya held a protest on Saturday outside the office of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) in Jaffna, demanding action over enforced disappearances. 

The Australian government expressed concern over an increase in the number of people fleeing Sri Lanka by boat towards the country in the past month, following a previous lull. 

Local residents and politicians gathered in Jaffna on Saturday to remember the burning of the library by Sri Lanka's security forces and state-sponsored mobs 38 years on. 

Muslim government officials, including all ministers and two governors, resigned yesterday from their posts following mounting pressure from senior Buddhist clergy and politicians.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce urged the Sri Lankan government to maintain law and order, expressing concern about the rising ethnic tensions in the island. 

In a letter to the Secretary of Defence, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said, "As the highest ranking official vested with responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, we expect you will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to maintain peace, law and order and prevent the occurrence of unlawful and disruptive activities that will disturb the peace of the communities." 

Sri Lanka's prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa today to discuss economic issues following the Easter Sunday bombings. 

The MPs Dinesh Gunawardena, Susil Premajayantha, Bandula Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila, and Gamini Lokuge have accompanied Rajapaksa, who has publicly criticised the government for failing to prevent the bombings. 

The Minister of Finance, Mangala Samaraweera is also said to be taking part.